The presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in blood induces an inflammatory response which leads to multiple organ dysfunction and numerous metabolic disorders. Uncontrolled, improper or late intervention may lead to tissue hypoxia, anaerobic glycolysis and a disturbance in the acid -base balance. The effects of LPS-induced toxemia on biological and immunological markers were well studied. However, parameters such as base excess, ions, and acid-base balance were not fully investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine these blood parameters collectively in LPS-induced inflammatory toxemia in rat's model. After induction of toxemia by injecting LPS at a rate of 5 mg/kg body weight intravenously, blood was collected from the tail vein of twenty rats and immediately analyzed. After 24 hours, the animals were sacrificed and the blood was collected from the caudal vena cava. The results revealed that the levels of pH, bicar- bonate, partial pressure of oxygen, oxygen saturation, Alveolar oxygen, hemoglobin, hematocrit, magnesium (Mg2+), and calcium (Ca2+) were significantly decreased. On the other side, the levels of Base excess blood, Base excess extracellular fluid, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, lactate, Ca2+/Mg2+, potassium, and chloride were significantly increased compared to those found pre toxemia induction. However, sodium level showed no significant change. In conclusion, Acute LPS-toxemia model disturbs acid-base balance, blood gases, and ions. These parameters can be used to monitor human and animal toxemic inflammatory response induced by bacterial LPS conditions to assist in the management of the diagnosed cases.

Background The increased prevalence of obesity has led to increases in the prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. There is interest whether probiotics have an effect on obesity, but the effectiveness and safety of only a few probiotics for the treatment of obesity have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ingestion of Lactobacillus sakei (CJLS03) derived from kimchi causes weight loss in people with obesity. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial involved 114 adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 who were assigned randomly to a CJLS03 or placebo group. The groups received two allocations of either 5×109 colony-forming units of CJLS03/allocation or the equivalent vehicle for 12 weeks. Demographic and biochemical parameters, and body composition including fat and muscle mass were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Changes in body fat, weight, and waist circumference were compared between the two treatment groups. Adverse events were monitored during study period. Results Body fat mass decreased by 0.2 kg in the CJLS03 group and increased by 0.6 kg in the placebo group (0.8 kg difference, P=0.018). After the 12 weeks, waist circumference was 0.8 cm smaller in the CJLS03 group than in the placebo group (P=0.013). BMI and body weight did not change after the 12 weeks. Adverse events were mild and did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion These data suggest that L. sakei (CJLS03) might help people with obesity reduce body fat mass without serious side effects (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03248414).

Background and Aims: It is not known whether cotinine levels affect the association between secondhand smoke(SHS) exposure and metabolic syndrome(MetS) in self-reported never-smokers. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship of SHS exposure and cotinine-verified smoke(CVS) exposure with MetS in self-reported never-smokers.

When anti-acne alternatives from dietary and plant sources are ingested, systemic alterations of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-γ, individually or simultaneously, are induced at a 0.1–10.0-fold (×) range of normal physiological concentrations (1×). However, little is known about the effects of these cytokines on excess sebum, a pathophysiological factor of acne development. In this study, human sebocytes were treated with 0.1–10.0× of IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ for 3 or 5 days to elucidate the effects on lipid content. Treatment with individual cytokines decreased the lipid content at specific concentrations rather than in a concentration-dependent manner. Specifically, 5.0× of IL-4, 5.0× of IFN-γ (5.0IFN), and 0.5×, 5.0× and 10.0× of IL-10 for 3 days, and 0.5× of IL-4 (0.5IL4) for 5 days decreased lipid content to 87.6–93.0% of the control. Treatment with other concentrations of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ, and 0.1–10.0× of IL-12 did not alter lipid content. Combined treatment with 0.5IL4, 5.0IFN and 0.5× of IL-10 for 3 or 5 days decreased the lipid content more than each individual treatment. However, this effect was more evident after 3 days, in parallel with decreased levels of triglycerides, cholesterol esters and free fatty acids, the major lipid compositions of sebocytes, and decreased protein expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and mature sterol response element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), the lipogenesis-related factors, without altered cell proliferation. We demonstrated that suppressed IL-4 and IL-10 with enhanced IFN-γ synergistically decreased lipid content and protein expression of FAS and mature SREBP-1 in human sebocytes.

Recent progresses in clinical diagnostic analyses have demonstrated the decisive influence of host gut microbiota on the status of metabolic disorders. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut microbiota, in particular, are considered as a key biomarker, both of communication between gut microbiota and the host, and of impact on host metabolic homeostasis. Microbiota modulation and concomitant anti-obesity effects of probiotics have been reported by different researchers. However, the underlying modulatory functions of probiotics on gut microbiota towards host metabolic homeostasis are still not fully understood. In this study, the impact of Lactobacillus sakei CJLS03 (isolated from Korean kimchi) on obesity-related biomarkers was investigated using a diet-induced obese mouse model. Body weight increase, SCFAs, the gut microbiota and various obesity-associated biomarkers were significantly and beneficially influenced by L. sakei CJLS03 administration compared to the control groups. Analytical data on faecal samples support the role of the colonic microbial population in SCFA production. The composition of the latter may be influenced by modulation of the distal gastro-intestinal microbiota by putative probiotics such as L. sakei CJLS03.

Background Overweight and abdominal obesity, in addition to medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and triglyceride levels, are typical risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Yet, considering the complexity of factors and underlying mechanisms leading to these inflammatory conditions, a deeper understanding of this area is still lacking. Some probiotics have a reputation of a relatively-long history of safe use, and an increasing number of studies are confirming benefits including anti-obesity effects when administered in adequate amounts. Recent reports demonstrate that probiotic functions may widely differ with reference to either intra-species or inter-species related data. Such differences do not necessarily reflect or explain strain-specific functions of a probiotic, and thus require further assessment at the intra-species level. Various anti-obesity clinical trials with probiotics have shown discrepant results and require additional consolidated studies in order to clarify the correct dose of application for reliable and constant efficacy over a long period. Methods Three different strains of Lactobacillus sakei were administered in a high-fat diet induced obese murine model using three different doses, 1 × 1010, 1 × 109 and 1 × 108 CFUs, respectively, per day. Changes in body and organ weight were monitored, and serum chemistry analysis was performed for monitoring obesity associated biomarkers. Results Only one strain of L. sakei (CJLS03) induced a dose-dependent anti-obesity effect, while no correlation with either dose or body or adipose tissue weight loss could be detected for the other two L. sakei strains (L338 and L446). The body weight reduction primarily correlated with adipose tissue and obesity-associated serum biomarkers such as triglycerides and aspartate transaminase. Discussion This study shows intraspecies diversity of L. sakei and suggests that anti-obesity effects of probiotics may vary in a strain- and dose-specific manner.

The 2017 CCQM-K147 "Comparison of value-assigned CRMs for niacin (vitamin B3) in milk powder and infant formula matrices" is the first Key Comparison directly testing the chemical measurement services provided to customers by National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and Designated Institutes (DIs) through certified reference materials (CRMs). CRMs certified for vitamin B3 (as niacin or niacinamide) content in milk powder and infant formula matrices were compared using measurements made on these materials under repeatability conditions. Five NMIs/DIs submitted seven CRMs certified for niacinamide and two CRMs certified for niacin. These materials represent most of the higher-order reference materials available in 2017 for this important nutrimental measurand. Generalized Gauss Markov Regression (GGMR) and Bayesian methods were used to establish the Key Comparison Reference Function (KCRF) relating the CRM certified values to the repeatability measurements. The niacinamide and niacin results for all nine CRMs were deemed equivalent at the 95 % level of confidence and were used to define the KCRF for vitamin B3 (as niacinamide). Monte Carlo methods and Bayesian methods were used to estimate 95 % level-of-confidence coverage intervals for the relative degrees of equivalence of materials, %d ± U95 (%d), and of the participating NMIs/DIs, %D ± U95 (%D). The Bayesian method estimates were selected as the final DoE values. For the niacinamide and niacin materials, all of the %D ± U95(%D) intervals, were within (-10 to 10) % of the consensus results and all of these are statistically equivalent. These results demonstrate that the participating institutions can value-assign CRMs for niacinamide and/or niacin in milk powder and infant formula matrices. KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH Niacin, Niacinamide, milk, infant formula, CRMs Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Overweight and obesity are considered as a major cause of various conditions related to metabolic syndrome. Yet, considering the complex interacting factors leading to pathogenicity and underlying mechanisms, it remains a poorly defined area. Some probiotics have a reputation of a relatively long history of safe use, and an increasing number of studies are confirming benefits including anti-obesity effects when administered in adequate amounts. Recent reports demonstrate that probiotic functions may widely differ with reference to either intra-species or inter-species related data. Such differences do not necessarily reflect or explain strain specific functions of a probiotic, and thus require further assessment at the intra-species level. Various anti-obesity clinical trials with probiotics have shown discrepant results and require more consolidated studies in order to clarify the correct dose of application for reliable and constant efficacy over a long period. In this study three different strains of Lactobacillus sakei were administered in a high fat diet induced obese murine model using three different doses, 1x10 10 CFU, 1x10 9 CFU and 1x10 8 CFU, respectively, per day. Changes in body and organ weight were monitored, and serum chemistry analysis was performed for monitoring obesity associated biomarkers. The results show that only one strain of L. sakei (CJLS03) induced a dose dependent anti-obesity effect, while no correlation with either dose or body and adipose tissue weight loss could be detected for the other two L. sakei strains (L338 and L446). The body weight reduction mainly correlated with adipose tissue and obesity associated serum biomarkers such as triglycerides. This study suggests that anti-obesity effects of probiotics may vary in a strain and dose specific manner.

The therapeutic effect of probiotics in atopic dermatitis (AD) remains controversial and varies according to the individual patient. We aimed to identify a population of AD patients with a good clinical response to probiotic treatment. We recruited 76 children with a median age of 7.1 years who suffered from moderate to severe AD. After a 2-week washout period, all patients were given Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 at a dosage of 1×1010 colony-forming units once a day for 12 weeks. We measured eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood, the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in CD4+ T cells, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and specific IgE against common allergens before the start of the treatment (T1) and at discontinuation (T2). Responders were defined as patients with at least a 30% reduction in the SCORing of AD (SCORAD) index after treatment. There were 36 responders and 40 non-responders after probiotic treatment. The median SCORAD was reduced from 29.5 (range 20.6-46.3) at T1 to 16.4 (range 6.3-30.8) at T2 in the responder group (P<0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, a good clinical response was significantly associated with high total IgE levels (aOR 5.1, 95% CI 1.1-23.6), increased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (aOR 4.6, 95% CI 1.3-15.9), and a high proportion of Treg cells in CD4+ T cells (aOR 3.7, 95% CI 1.1-12.7) at T1. In the responder group, the proportion of Treg cells was significantly increased after 12 weeks of treatment (P=0.004), while TGF-β mRNA expression was decreased (P=0.017). Our results suggest that a subgroup of patients with a specific AD phenotype showing an immunologically active state (high total IgE, increased expression of TGF-β, high numbers of Treg cells) may benefit from probiotic treatment with L. plantarum CJLP133.

AimsIn this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of selected probiotics in a mouse model of birch pollen (BP)-induced allergic rhinitis. Methods and ResultsOral administration of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 and CJLP243 ameliorated the symptoms of BP-induced allergic rhinitis by reducing airway hyperresponsiveness, and both the histological scores and the number of infiltrated cells in the nasal cavities and lungs. Compared with those from vehicle-treated mice, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and draining lymph node samples from CJLP133 and CJLP243-administrated mice showed diminished numbers of immune cells, increased secretion of a Th1-type cytokine (IFN-) and decreased production of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13). Consistent with these results, levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, serum IgE and BP-specific serum IgG1 were decreased, whereas secretion of IFN- and BP-specific serum IgG2a was augmented upon administration of CJLP133 and CJLP243 in mice. ConclusionOral administration of L. plantarum CJLP133 and CJLP243 alleviates symptoms of BP-induced allergic rhinitis in mice by recovering Th1/Th2 balance via enhancement of the Th1-type immune response. Significance and Impact of the StudyLactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 and CJLP243 have therapeutic effects on BP-induced allergic rhinitis in an animal model.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin condition accompanied by symptoms such as edema and hemorrhage. Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean dish consisting of various probiotics. In this study, the therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 isolated from Kimchi was studied in AD-induced mice. Orally administered Lactobacillus strain, CJLP55, suppressed AD symptoms and high serum IgE levels. CJLP55 administration reduced the thickness of the epidermis, infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils into the skin lesion, enlargement of axillary lymph nodes, and increase in cell population in axillary lymph nodes. CJLP55 treatment decreased the production of type 2 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-6,which were stimulated by house dust mite extracts, in the axillary lymph node cells. Orally administered CJLP55 exhibited a therapeutic effect on house dust mite-induced AD in NC/Nga mice after onset of the disease by altering immune cell activation. The Lactobacillus strain, CJLP55, isolated from Kimchi, suppressed AD. Our results suggest its possible use as a potential candidate for management of AD.

Commensal bacteria interact with mucosal immune or epithelial cells to modulate the immune system. Probiotics have been proposed as a novel preventive or therapeutic method for immunological diseases because of their ability to alter intestinal microflora. Herein, lactobacilli isolated from kimchi were tested for their capacity to modulate intestinal allergy in mice. Lactic acid bacteria suppressed IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17A cytokine production in splenocytes from OVA-sensitized mice in vitro. In a mouse model of food allergy, lactobacilli significantly inhibited the expression of Th2-associated gene products such as GATA3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 in the small intestine. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were lower in the lactobacillus group. Lactic acid bacteria also modulated mast cell infiltration and activation. Serum IgE/IgG2a and IgG1/IgG2a ratios were altered to alleviate Th2 responses. In conclusion, lactobacilli from kimchi effectively regulated intestinal allergy by suppressing Th2 responses and modulating mast cell function and recruitment.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP243 on the growth and cytokine response of weaning pigs (Sus scrofa) challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). In a 28-d experiment (14 d before and 14 d after challenge), a total of 108 pigs at 20 +/- 1 d of age were allotted to 1 of 6 diets. These were a control diet without ETEC challenge (CON) and 5 treatment diets with ETEC challenge, including a control diet with ETEC challenge (negative control, NC); a positive control diet containing antibiotics (PC); control diet plus (10(8), 10(9), or 10(10)) cfu/kg L. plantarum CJLP243 (T1, T2, and T3, respectively). After challenge, NC showed the least ADFI, whereas PC and T3 had the greatest ADFI (P = 0.002). The ADG of PC, T2, and T3 were greater (P = 0.001) than that of CON, NC, and T1 during wk 1 to wk 2. During wk 3 to wk 4, a marked decline was seen in NC (P = 0.001) compared with CON, whereas PC and T3 showed increased ADG (P = 0.001). The overall ADG of PC and T3 were greater (P < 0.001) than the remaining groups. The PC and T3 had the greatest G: F during the second 2 wk (P = 0.002), and the overall 4-wk experimental period (P = 0.003). At 3 h after challenge, all groups except CON had greater rectal temperatures (RT; P < 0.05). The RT decreased to prechallenge temperatures at 9 h (PC and T3), 24 h (T1 and T2), and remained increased until d 7 in NC. At 7 and 14 d postinfection, the number of animals detected positive for ETEC by PCR assay was the greatest in NC; however, the PC group had the fewest ETEC-positive animals (P < 0.05), which was similar to T3. All challenged pigs, except T2, had greater concentrations of serum haptoglobin compared with CON, with the greatest concentration observed in NC (P < 0.001). Challenged pigs had increased serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) 3 to 48 h postinfection, with the greatest concentration of TNF-alpha at 48 h observed in NC (P < 0.05). Similarly, greater (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of interferon-gamma were observed for 9 h (T1 and T3), 24 h (T2 and PC), and 48 h (NC) postinfection. The serum concentration of IL-6 increased (P < 0.05) for 3 h in T3 and 24 h in NC. In conclusion, our findings suggest that L. plantarum CJLP243, at a concentration of 10(10) cfu/kg, may serve as a potential alternative to antibiotic supplementation to improve the growth and health performance of weaning pigs, especially during acute inflammation of the gut after bacterial infections.